ASK ROD |
|
Photograph by Bob Gentry 8/5/99
A Thought for Today
We can never hope to get inside someone else's mind, so
don't be too quick to judge what makes them turn.
First of all a big thank you to Ken for
stepping in at the last minute and putting yesterdays flight plan together. For some
reason a lot of the mail today concerns "Listen To the Warm."
ADDRESS CARDS
Dear Rod: This is just a neat story--it happens at least 2-3 times a
week. Went to the Post Office today to mail a package to you and in the process ended up
being waited on by one of nicest clerks I know there. " Hmmm" he said looking at
the address and your name, "How is Rod, I haven't seen his name in a long time".
So I proceeded to get excited and tell him all about you and what you were doing, website,
new book, new recordings. He is a genuine person and was quite interested. In the
meantime, I "felt" people behind me who were not there 10 minutes earlier. And
sure enough, there were five people craning their necks and straining their ears to hear
what we were saying. And I think a little annoyed with me--oh well.
Oh, it was worth it. I LOVE to talk about you. Just wondered, since I get "writers
cramp" trying to write out your web site address etc. on scraps of paper and backs of
envelopes, (besides you deserve a lot nicer.) Would I be breaking a copyright rule if I
printed up some cards with your website address so that I can give it to these people? Now
asking means an answer. So short of saying OK or NOT OK and having Dwight put it in with
my order which won't be received until next week at Stanyan (it's in the mail), I can just
keep writing it out for these people. It would be just the same thing. I'll be getting the
paper stock ready. Happy Friday. Love, Nan
Dear Nan, I wish you would get those cards printed up and stop annoying the customers in
line behind you. The post office is there to serve everybody.
Would I mind if you passed out cards with my web address? Do you think ASPTL is in the
witness protection program? I want the whole world to know where it is, well maybe not the
WHOLE world. Get those cards printed as quickly as you can! What a sweet and thoughtful
thing to do. Love, Rod. When you and the postal clerk set the date, can I be the first to
know?
THANK YOU
I have been reading and listening to rod McKuen since I was a junior
in high school, back thirty years ago. As every other teenage girl, I was in love with
you. Every night, I would put one of your albums on and go to sleep listening to your
voice, words, music. I tried to acquire every book of your poetry that I possibly could.
I read your book, "Finding my Father", and thought for sure that I saw you
walking through the streets of our city, with a dog in tow. I still get angry with myself
for not stopping that person and asking him if he and you were one and the same.
Years pass, times change, but my love for your poetry has never ceased. Instead of albums,
I now listen to you on CD. I still go to sleep with you every night, with my cats beside
me on the bed. Just recently, I had to have my beloved cocker spaniel put to sleep because
of canine lymphoma. When I got home from the vet's, I put on "The Sea", and
cried for the loss of the most unconditional love I would ever have. It may sound strange,
but listening to your collection of greatest hits helped me to heal. You always had such a
warm spot for pets, who are just an extension of our family.
I just wanted to take the time to thank you for the pleasure, the compassion, and the
understanding that your talents have given me. You make the world a better place, a nicer
place to live. I work in the law enforcement field, and after so many years you become
somewhat hardened. Yet, when I read one of your books, or listen to a CD (and occasionally
an album when I can get the turntable to work), I become a warm, compassionate, loving
individual again. Thank you for reminding me of my softer side, my human or rather humane
side. You work is truly a gift to mankind. Sincerely, Patricia S. Stuart
Dear Patricia, I'm so sorry to hear about your having to put your cocker spaniel to sleep,
but thank heaven you had the courage to do it when it became necessary. So many animals
suffer needlessly because even when all hope has past for recovery or when one of our old
friends is pain from sickness and age, we're reluctant to help end their misery. I did it
myself once but never again. When it comes to the end the vet knows best - but, don't
hesitate to get a second or third opinion.
Thanks for all the nice words, Patricia. I hope I'll always be there in a book or on a
disc if you need me. I know no one will ever replace your cocker, but I hope you've gotten
a new puppy or kitten. I can't imagine living without the padding of little (or big feet)
around the house. All the chewed slippers and coughed up furballs are worth our animal
keepers. For, they really do own and take care of us so called humans. Affectionately, Rod
FEEDBACK: LOVE
In one of your random thoughts...you said, "Love a little, live
a lot." Hmmm. I'd say love much...and then you'd live more. love, tschai
Dear tschai, Point well taken. Cheers, Rod
LISTEN TO THE WARM
Hello Rod! I guess I'll just start with the typical my name is Tara
and I am 19 years old, and my dream is to become a poet. Your book Listen To The Warm has
been such an inspiration to me. My favorite Poem's are Three along with Times Gone By. I
have so far collected nine of you book's, which by the way are very hard to come by. I
found 7 at an out of state flea market. I almost fell over.
Basically I would just like to let you know what an inspiration you are to me, and let you
know how much I respect you and your writings. Thank you for the inspiration you have
provided. I wish you luck in all you do. Thank you for your time.Tara Butler.
Dear Tara, Thanks for your thoughtful note and all the best of luck with your poetry. I
love flea markets and used book stores and haunt them myself for out of print books and
records. Try Stanyan by Mail, they have a lot of my things unavailable anywhere else.
Kindest Regards, Rod
DAD & THE HAT
Dear Rod, Many years ago, my stepfather who was a chauffeur for 20th
Century Fox, met you when you were working on Miss Jean Brodie, you gave him a Russian
hat, that you had been wearing in Scotland.
He also bought home an LP that had Listen to the Warm, and a Cat Named Sloopy on it, sung
by you. I was only a child at the time but memorized Sloopy by heart and called my own cat
by that name. The album was lost when my parents moved and I have always wanted to replace
it, could you tell me if it is possible to get a copy, no one here can help me and I've
tried for so long. I do hope you can help me Very sincerely Alison
Dear Alison, I remember your dad well he was a great driver but better than that a really
nice man. He was assigned to me when I was scoring "Joanna" for Fox and I asked
for him again when I worked on "The Prime of Miss. Jean Brodie." The album you
mentioned is "Listen to the Warm," drop me a line a line with an address I can
send it to and I'll make sure you get a copy. Be sure and let me know whether you want the
CD, LP or Cassette.
Be sure to say hello to your stepdad and give him my fondest regards, Affectionately, Rod
PITTSBURG
Gosh . . . it's been over thirty years . . .For three or four years
during my teens, my birthday present from my sister was
a ticket to your concert in Pittsburgh. How I looked forward to that each year. In boxes
somewhere are my scrapbooks - with all the ticket stubs.
It was nice to find your website - so that I can have my own little concert each time I
read your words. I have seen you, I have heard you - and although it was many years ago -
it seems like yesterday.
Thank you for beautiful concerts and for memories with my sister and of my youth. A fan in
Pittsburgh, Susan Timo
Dear Susan, Pittsburgh was a stop on nearly every US tour I did over the years. Lots of
great theatres and venues there, but my favorite of all was the old Syria Mosque. Loved
those acoustics and the solid wall of people. Thanks for the memories. Rod.
THE STORM
Mr. McKuen ... I am 40 years old, and I remember when I was 12 I
loved one of your poems so much that I memorized it. I've thought of it over the years,
and am wanting to read it again ... One of the sentences in the poem went something like
this: "... I wish I could [sit] behind your eyes so I could see myself the way you do
... but, as it is, I ... always sure a storm is rising." As you can see, I recall
only bits and pieces. If you could enlighten my memory, I would be most appreciative. I
would like to buy it if it's still available. Thanks for your time - Tanya Touchstone
Dear Tanya, The poem you quote from in from the CD "The Sea" and is printed in
the book "Listen to the Warm" In The Sea the title is "The Storm" and
in the book the title is "Eighteen." Both the original book and album were
published in 1967 and are available from Stanyan By Mail. Thanks for asking, Tanya. Best
Regards, Rod
MUSIC CLIP ON STANYAN MAIL
Just loved your music clip on the Stanyan Mail form, I'll place an
order tomorrow for some CD's. Why don't you add the music clip/s to the Flight Plans, I'm
sure all of Rod's fans would love to listen to it as they browse through the day's FP?
Great Stuff - thanks! Ruth Moca
Dear Ruth. Dwight came up with and executed the song clip on Stanyan By Mail. He plans to
change the songs monthly or more frequently if there is a demand for it. Since coming to
Stanyan and starting the 'By Mail' site, Dwight continues to make lots of changes to it.
For instance check out his chat room and bulletin board. Both brand new additions in the
past week or so.
Many changes are planned for this site and Ken & I have begun to build The Stanyan
House. There will be sound clips on both, but Stanyan By Mail is Dwight's baby and he's
free to run it any way he wants to, as long as he doesn't play with matches. Love, Rod
Tomorrow Webmaster Ken's weekly feature "This One Does It For Me" will be here
to entertain you. I'll be back to read and I hope you will be too. Meanwhile, sleep warm
and wake up smiling.
- RM 10/12/99 Previously unpublished |
